Sarkozy vs Obama on The Burqa (Sarkozy's State of the Union Address)

Pajama Media ^ | June 21, 2009 | Phyllis Chesler

[RobinMasters]

As far as I’m concerned, Frenchmen are back in vogue. Who could ever have predicted that the French President would stand up for women’s universal rights and for freedom as a universal right—while the American President would hang back, wait, temporize? It’s almost as if we’ve elected a Frenchman President of the United States–and an American-style President is ruling France.

Please contrast the following two speeches.

On June 22th, 2009, President Nicholas Sarkozy stated that he viewed the full-body burqa and niquab as a sign of the “debasement” of women and that it won’t be welcome in France. According to the glorious Sarkozy:

[Mpatl]

Screw your freedom fries, make mine french fries please!

[DustyMoment]

It wasn’t so long ago that we were taking jibes at Jacque Chirac’s France before Sarkozy became the president.

Now, it is Sarkozy who lectures to us on how to be Americans and what America means.

We should listen!

[GraceG]

Lightbulbs are spirals, Health Care is a “right”, and the French President makes sense....

I think I woke up in Bizarro world!

[Seruzawa]

Yep. Give up more liberty for the promise of safety and receive neither.

[Riptides]

Kinda late for the Frogs to enforce the “no-burqa” rule if they have 5 million Islam-loving Muzzies living there.

[Cincinna]

Thanks to RobinMasters for posting this article

*** FRENCH POLITICS AND CULTURE PING LIST *** FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO JOIN ***

President Sarkozy is flanked by Republican Guards on his arrival at the Palace of Versailles for an address to both houses of the French parliament

"Many on the Left disapprove of what is seen as a small rise in women adopting fundamentalist dress — they are said to number several thousand. But they are unhappy with what they see as Mr Sarkozy’s enthusiasm for action that would further stigmatise a big immigrant population that is excluded from much of mainstream life.

Muslim leaders reacted cautiously to Mr Sarkozy’s words on the niqab and burka. Dalil Boubakeur, rector of the Great Mosque of Paris, called the President’s remarks “in keeping with the republican spirit of secularism”. Moderate Muslims also saw full face-covering as a symbol of submission, said Mr Boubakeur.

Measures against face cover are supported by two of the three women Muslims in the Cabinet but other ministers are questioning the wisdom of legislation that could be impossible to enforce.

It would also risk further criticism of France abroad. This month President Obama attacked the French headscarf rule in a speech in Cairo, saying that the United States did not believe that the Government should dictate people’s dress.

Boosted by victory for his party in the European Parliament elections Mr Sarkozy devoted his speech to promising to continue the reforms that he began implementing after his election in May 2007. He is to stage his first medium-sized Cabinet reshuffle tomorrow to open a second phase of his five-year administration. Among those departing are Rachida Dati, the Justice Minister, and Michael Barnier, the Farm Minister.

The joint parliamentary session at Versailles was attacked by all the opposition parties as an act of selfpromotion by a President with monarchical pretensions. The speech was made possible by a change in the constitution that Mr Sarkozy introduced last year.

Since the late 19th century French presidents had been barred from appearing in parliament under rules intended to reinforce the separation of powers. The Socialist Party boycotted the debate after his speech and MPs from small Green and Communist parties boycotted a session that they depicted as an attempt by Mr Sarkozy to play Louix XIV, the Sun King, who based the Royal Court at Versailles."

[Reeses]

Moderate Muslims also saw full face-covering as a symbol of submission, said Mr Boubakeur.

Are conservatives comfortable banning conservative types of dress? Should the government ban brides from wearing veils and taking their husband's last name because it's a symbol of female submission?

[Cincinna]

Burquas are conservative?

This has got to be the nuttiest post I have received so far.

[Tribune7]

Vive la France

[Reeses]

Burquas are conservative?

Yes, about as conservative as you can get on the dress policy spectrum.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Cincinna.